July 22, 2008

It took two five-out overtime rounds, but Andrew Brouse (Aces/Bucknell) delivered a home run just a couple outs into the second overtime to outlast Gavin Swanson (Redbirds/George Washington) and win the Third Annual Cal Ripken, Sr. League Home Run Derby. The tall righty swinger's Derby-clinching homer was a majestic centerfield shot that cleared Povich Field's tallest section of fence. The crowd of over 200 fans erupted in applause as soon as Brouse connected -- no one doubted that the blast would leave the yard.

In the previous five-out overtime, Brouse hit one out early in the round but could not best Swanson's solo shot. In the second overtime, Swanson hit one off the leftfield fence but could not get one out.

Swanson, Brouse, and Seth Williams (Big Train/Michigan State) all advanced to the 10-out Championship Round after hitting three longballs apiece in the opening 10-out round. In the Championship Round, Swanson and Brouse hit three more but Williams came up one home run short after taking one deep on his ninth out.

Heath Weatherford (T-Bolts/Wingate), Alex Ferrera (Braves/Columbia), Mike Celenza (Bombers/Salisbury), Joey Martin (Express/Maine) and Gerard Hall (O's/ODU) also participated in the 2008 Home Run Derby.

Andrew Brouse was presented with the D-BAT Home Run Derby Trophy Bat by Commissioner Bill Spencer. Photo by Jeff Lautenberger. Copyright 2008